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TECHSWU
TECHSWU
April 21, 2025
This week, the tech scene buzzes with five groundbreaking developments you won't want to miss! Intuit has thrown a lifeline to small businesses with a limited-time offer on QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus 2024, now available for a one-time fee of $249.99, eliminating pesky subscriptions.
Meanwhile, Microsoft’s Recall AI tool makes a controversial comeback, balancing privacy with the promise of enhanced productivity by capturing crucial screenshots. In the creative sphere, ChatGPT introduces a Library feature for AI-generated images, hinting at the birth of a dynamic new social media platform for digital storytelling.
Retailers are fully embracing AI, with 90% adopting tech to enhance customer personalization and streamline operations. Lastly, Fourth’s Restaurant Operations Suite revolutionizes culinary management by optimizing labor and inventory.
Katy Perry is feeling the heat after her post-flight antics during Blue Origin's all-female space mission, dubbed the "Big Kiss." While the aim was to celebrate female empowerment, the mission has stirred controversy for its lavishness and perceived superficiality, prompting considerable backlash.
Critics argue Perry's flight, which included her kissing the ground and promoting her tour, was tone-deaf, especially when juxtaposed against recent NASA challenges. An insider reveals Perry doesn’t regret the flight itself but wishes she had skipped the spectacle, feeling disheartened by the unexpected criticism from social media and fellow celebrities alike.
Despite the fallout, Perry remains committed to her environmental advocacy. As she navigates the repercussions of her space adventure, the pop star reflects on how even a trip beyond the Earth can spark a wave of controversy back home.
The electric skateboard market is primed for significant growth, anticipated to expand from $2.06 billion in 2023 to $3.
69 billion by 2033, marking a steady 6% CAGR. This surge is spurred by a growing focus on eco-friendly transportation amidst rising urban congestion.
Electric skateboards have become a trendy choice for millennials and professionals seeking efficient last-mile solutions. Enhanced by technological advancements—such as smart mobility features and long-lasting batteries—these boards are increasingly appealing for both commuting and recreational use.
Regions like North America and Europe are leading the charge, with cities championing sustainable transit, while Asia Pacific emerges as the fastest-growing area, fueled by urbanization and rising disposable incomes.
In a candid revelation, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged that Facebook's cultural impact is waning, a sentiment echoed in internal emails presented during a significant antitrust trial. While user engagement remains steady, the platform's appeal is shifting as younger audiences flock to Instagram and Twitter, favoring a 'following' model over Facebook's traditional 'friending' approach.
Zuckerberg's introspection includes bold ideas like resetting users' friend graphs to reignite interest, although he questions the potential of existing community-focused features. This comes amid a federal lawsuit challenging Meta's acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, which could threaten the company's market dominance.
As Zuckerberg faces these daunting challenges, the future of Facebook hangs in the balance, prompting speculation on whether the social media giant can reclaim its relevance in an increasingly competitive landscape.
In an intriguing exploration of the intersection of AI and manners, OpenAI’s ChatGPT is under scrutiny for how politeness impacts its operation and costs. CEO Sam Altman noted that courteous phrases like "please" and "thank you" might be costing the company tens of millions due to the extra processing power required for every token in user queries.
This polite interaction, while seemingly trivial, demands significant resources as ChatGPT processes millions of inquiries daily. Interestingly, data shows that polite prompts often generate richer, more nuanced responses, while abrupt commands result in less informative answers.
Despite the added costs, many users opt for polite dialogue, believing it enhances the conversation or safeguards against potential future AI uprisings. The article highlights how our choice of words can dramatically shape AI interactions, prompting consideration of how etiquette plays a crucial role in this digital age.
China is embracing the future with a surge in embodied AI technology, from humanoid robots to intelligent drones, shaping everyday life and national strategy. Amidst intensifying competition with the US, this technological revolution aims to bolster the economy and address military and demographic challenges.
Prime Minister Li Qiang emphasizes unleashing the digital economy's creative potential, particularly in tech hubs like Shenzhen. With substantial investments in innovation, the Chinese government promotes tech advancements as a means to compete on a global stage.
Meanwhile, the US grows concerned about its technological edge diminishing, highlighted by the emergence of Chinese firm DeepSeek, which unveiled a groundbreaking AI model at a fraction of the cost of its US counterparts. This ongoing race in AI innovation not only signifies a shift in economic power but also underscores the dynamic relations between China and the US, with the potential for transformative impacts on industries worldwide.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance its humanitarian efforts amidst soaring global displacement rates. With over 117 million people uprooted, the IRC's Signpost initiative, launched in 2015, has already aided 18 million individuals using multi-language mobile apps.
By piloting AI chatbots across El Salvador, Kenya, Greece, and Italy, the IRC aims to streamline responses to inquiries about vital resources. However, challenges loom, such as ensuring accurate, timely information and safeguarding sensitive user data.
Experts emphasize the need for thorough oversight and community involvement to prevent bias and empower local organizations. As the IRC seeks to democratize AI resources for humanitarian entities, the dialogue around technology ethics remains critical, especially concerning informed consent and access to tools in crisis-hit regions.
With careful implementation, AI could significantly amplify outreach and impact, but vigilance is essential to avoid pitfalls that could undermine its potential benefits.